US consulate in Hong Kong closes just after staff test great for Covid-19
The United States temporarily closed its consulate in Hong Kong on Monday after two staff tested positive for the corona virus throughout a new outbreak that has rippled through the city's well-heeled "expat" community. Both circumstances emerged during an "ambush lockdown" -- a tactic used by Hong Kong authorities to descend over night on flat blocks where they suspect there can be cases and check everyone inside.
"We've closed the Consulate Basic to perform a good deep disinfection and cleaning while get in touch with tracing is executed," the consulate said in a statement after it had been informed of the cases on Monday. Hong Kong has were able to retain infections low because of a few of the strictest quarantine measures on the globe.It has recorded some 11,000 infections and 200 deaths because the pandemic began.The US consulate infections were first reported by Dot Dot Media, an online news outlet operated by the major pro-Beijing state media group in Hong Kong.
Their report claimed both consulate staff invoked diplomatic immunity and refused to be quarantined. Hong Kong overall health authorities said the pair was being located on a hospital isolation ward.And the US consulate said personnel "have abided by all Hong Kong authorities requirements for the arrival, testing, and quarantine of all diplomatic employees and their family members."
In a separate statement, the consulate explained it was aware that some US citizens in Hong Kong had concerns about the city's mandatory quarantine and hospitalization methods "particularly in regard to the likely separation of children from their parents".
Hong Kong places people deemed to be close contacts with a corona virus sufferer in camps for 14 days, including some children and babies. Youngsters possess previously been delivered to the facilities, but scrutiny and opposition have grown to be more vocal since the current wave struck wealthy international colleges and neighborhoods.
